Page 28 of Secrets of a Kilted Seduction

“I hope Blaine’s nae gonnae start any more trouble,” Tadgh murmured as he entered the great hall with Alana on his arm and they made the laird’s table.

“Aye, I dinnae want any more fightin’ between the two of ye. We’re his guests, so can ye try tae be gracious towards him and nae lord it over him because ye beat him, please?” Alana replied, plastering a smile on her face for the benefit of the other diners.

“Look, ye said ye think Blaine daesnae believe we’re wed, and maybe that’s why he acted the way he did. He wanted tae see what I’d dae. It would have looked suspicious if I hadnae challenged him,” Tadhg insisted.

Alana sighed through her smile. “I suppose so, but I cannae help but feel nervous about comin’ face tae face with him over dinner. I can feel mesel’ blushin’ with embarrassment already,” she confessed as they took the low steps leading up to the laird’s table.

Tadhg squeezed her arm, wanting to reassure her. “It’ll be fine.”

“So ye keep sayin’, but what if Blaine’s a sore loser? Who kens what he’s capable of?”

“Well, we’ll soon find out. Now, smile. And remember tae show affection tae

yer husband at table. Ow! Would ye mind nae pinchin’ me like that? I’m already injured and ye’re addin’ tae me pain.”

“I’ll give ye pain,” she whispered through her bright smile, making him grin as they came up to the table.

Tadhg was pleased to discover that their worries seemed to be groundless, for Blaine greeted them both with his former warmth, all trace of anger vanished.

“When I said ye beat me fair and square, I meant it Tadhg. ’Tis nae shame tae lose tae a warrior such as yersel’. I hope yer wounds are nae too bad. Sorry about that.” He held up a bandaged wrist. “If ’tis any consolation, this is killin’ me.”

“I’m sorry tae hear that,” Tadhg replied with what he hoped was a hearty laugh. “Aye, I’ve plenty nicks as well tae show fer it. I’m sorry about yer wrist. I hope it heals all right. But ye fought well. Luck was on me side. It could easily have been me on the losin’ end.” He figured that a little humility would not go amiss in pouring oil on troubled waters.

“Och, that’s good of ye tae be so humble, but ye were the better man, I admit it,” Blaine said magnanimously, slapping Tadhg on the shoulder. “Maybe we’ll spar again some time while ye’re here?”

“I’d like that very much,” Tadhg answered, “but only if ye promise tae go easy on me next time.” He glanced at Alana and then continued. “I’m sorry for overreacting, but bein’ a new husband as I am, I sometimes still cannae believe me luck and control me emotions for me wife…”

Blaine burst out laughing at that, and many of the others joined in. Tadhg glanced over at Alana. She was listening intently, still wearing her smile, the smile he fancied only he could tell was fake.

The meal passed pleasantly enough, though he kept his eyes on Blaine. But the man’s good mood did not seem to change. Indeed, after dinner, he approached Tadhg and invited him and Knox to join him in his study, “Fer a wee dram or two,” he said.

Curious as to the man’s reasons for inviting them and wanting to learn more about him, Tadhg agreed at once, and so did Knox.

He told Alana where he was going. “Be careful,” she warned him under her breath, worry in her eyes as she looked up at him. It warmed his heart to see it, for it was yet another hint that, despite insisting otherwise, she might actually care about him more than she let on.

“I always am,” he replied, kissing her cheek in a husbandly manner before leaving with Blaine and Knox.